Palace mum on Amalilio's Malaysia ties

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Saturday declined to comment on reports that Aman Futures leader Manuel Amalilio is a nephew of a high ranking Malaysian official who blocked the alleged scam artist's deportation.

"I don't know if that is true. We don't have any verification to that effect but only the assurance that the Philippine side will continue to work with local police authorities for his deportation to the country," Valte said.

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim told the Philippine Star that Amalilio, the alleged brains behind a P12-billion pyramiding scam that duped thousands of people in the Visayas and Mindanao, is a relative of Aman.

"Amalilio is married to a Filipina, and holds a Philippine passport,” he added.

Valte said government agencies handling the Aman Futures case can either verify or debunk Anwar's statement.

"I did also see those reports but I will defer to, either to the DOJ, to the DILG or to the DFA on that matter because as far as we are concerned, we submitted all the documentation that is required primarily to prove that Mr. Amalilio is a Filipino citizen. So hindi po natin alam. We'll leave it to those officials to comment on the alleged affiliation or relationship," she said.

She added that Manila is keen on Amalilio's repatriation for him to face criminal cases involving the alleged pyramiding scam.

"We are working with the local authorities to do whatever it is that we can to ensure his return," she said.

The Palace also declined to make a conclusion on the attack on the home fo another alleged scam leader, Jacob "Coco" Rasuman in Panggao Saduc, Marawi City on Friday. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/01/13/soldier-killed-attack-rasumans-house

A soldier was killed after armed men strafed Rasuman's home.

"We don't want to conclude immediately who the perpetrators are. Siguro po marami diyan (ang) magsasabi na kasi baka po biktima, etcetera. In case iyon ho talaga 'yung dahilan, we appeal to the victims not to take the law into their own hands; kaya naman po tayo may proseso," Valte said.